Valve actuating and latching mechanism



1953 l. J. AcosTA VALVE ACTUATING AND LATCHING MECHANISM 2 Sheets-Sheet 1 Filed June 25, 1947 X W 4 s M. Z 8 N I 2 M 3 l 2 B% m 9 M W m 1 I n 8 M NOV. 10, 1953 c s 2,658,717

VALVE ACTUATING AND LATCHING MECHANISM Filed June 25, 1947 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 Patented Nov. 10, 1953 VALVE ACTUATIN G AND LATCHING MECHANISM Ivan J. Acosta, Chicago, Ill., assignor to Crane (30., Chicago, 111., a corporation of Illinois Application June 25, 1947, Serial No. 756,847

9 Claims.

This invention relates generally to a novel form of actuating mechanism suitable for use on quick opening and slow closing sliding stem globe or angle type valves. More specifically it is concerned with a type of valve in which the latter member can be quickly opened at predetermined times and at the same time permit the valve to be subsequently closed against line pressure by a positive resetting mechanism.

It will be apparent that this construction has application to a wide variety of uses in many unrelated devices in which a similar kind of movement is desired.

In order to have a true appreciation of the application of this invention it should be understood that frequently aboard ship or in certain types of industrial applications particularly under emergency conditions it is desirable that the fluid line upon which the valve is installed be opened without any considerable loss of time and where relatively complicated mechanical or other types of valve actuating mechanisms and latching arrangements will not be acceptable to the user.

Accordingly it is one of the more important objects of this invention to provide a relatively simple means of latching a valve stem or simi1ar actuator whereby the valve can be positively closed and easily opened against line fluid pressure by means of the customary valve stem threads while at the same time the novel structure also permits of unlatching the first named structure so that the valve may be opened quickly.

Another important object is to provide a simple latching mechanism preferably cooperating with the valve stem and working in combination with the threads of a yoke sleeve and the handwheel to permit the valve to be opened quickly by merely uncoupling the latch and releasing the stem while at the same time permitting the valve to be subsequently set or closed tightly against line pressure.

Other important objects and advantages will become more readily apparent upon roceeding with the following description read in light of the accompanying drawings in which:

Fig. 1 is a sectional assembly view of a preferred form of a valve embodying my invention.

Fig. 2 is a fragmentary plan view showing the latching mechanism employed in Fig. 1 and taken along the line 2-2 of the latter figure.

Fig. 3 is a sectional assembly view of a modified form of valve embodying the invention.

Fig. 4 is a fragmentary plan view showing the latching mechanism employed with Fig. 3 and taken along the line 4-4 of the latter figure.

Similar reference numerals refer to similar parts throughout the several views.

Referring now to Fig. 1, the valve assembly consists of the body or casing I, having the usual end flanges 2 for suitable connection to a pipe line. The latter connection of course may be of tact when in the closed position with the seat ring It as indicated. The valve disc or closure member 5 is provided with a central aperture 6 shouldered as at l to receive the stem head 8 and having its lower end portion threaded as at 9 to receive the recessed disc stem ring H, the latter in turn being threaded as: at I2 to receive the shank of the guide ring E3. The disc stem ring H is recessed as at M to receive the head of the disc guide l5 as indicated. The member i5 functions to assist in the prevention of any substantial side play in the disc as it moves in a reciprocable manner within the cas ing during the opening and closing movements of the valve. However, under certain conditions such guide mechanism may be dispensed with if desired under stipulated conditions of operation without seriously afiecting the operation of the device. The lower portion of the casing l is preferably provided with a cover It bolted thereto by means of the bolts I1 and nuts I8. To guard against leakage past the guide I 5 the conventional stufiing box H3 is provided with the stuffing box gland 2| adjustable for compression by the usual bolts (not shown). At the lower end portion of the guide 15, the threads 22 are used to hold a spring washer 23 in desired position. Supported upon the latter member the coiled spring 24 is placed, bearing at its top portion against the upper spring washer 25, the latter being held in position by means of the spring washer posts 26 threadedly held to the washer by means of a nut 21 and to the cover It by the tapping shown. The purpose of the assembly thus far described in connection with the stem guide 55, the spring 24 and washers 23 and 25 is simply to assist in drawing the closure memher 5 away from its seat when it has been opened by line pressure which is on the upper side of the disc.

Now continuing with the description of the upper portion of the valve assembly, preferably integral with the stem head 8 is the main stem 26, the latter member as indicated projecting through the bonnet 29 by way of the Stufiing box 3! and the gland 32 similarly adjustable for compression as described in connection. with the member 2!. superposed upon the bonnet member 29 is the yoke 33, the latter member being bolted to the bonnet 29 by means of the nuts 34 and the threaded studs 35 fastened to the easing l as indicated. At the upper end of the yoke 33 a hub portion is provided having the aperture 36 therethrough and within which the yoke sleeve 37 is rotatably mounted, the latter indicated. At the lower portion of the yoke sleeve a sleeve nut 38 is provided, the latter member being locked in positionlby-means-ofthe set screw 35. sleeve 3'! whenever desired, the handwheel M is provided, having the insert piece 42- non rotatably mounted therebetweerr upon the-yoke-- sleeve 31, the cross-section of: the insert being of polygonal form and snugly fitted on the sleeve. The handwheel 4| is held firmlysinplace ing opposite end recessed portions 4-1: whichengage the similarly disposed ribs 49' of; the yoke 33; Thus itfshould: bezapparent" that upon suit able'rotati'on: of. the liandwheel: 4i and the yoke sleeve 3.1; the non-rntatable inner; sleeve: 45. is caused. to' travel axially: upon: the threads of: the inner sleeve=45 ina. direction depending upon the rotation of: the'handvvheeland: yoke=sleeve.

At. this stage in. connection with the' aforesaid movement of: the inner sleeve, it willbenoted that the stemiunlike theusual valve=stem is=plain=or without threads for' its; entire length. Therefore the only. manner:in:which -it-can be made to move reciprocablyfcropening andclosing movements of the: valve .is bymeans oi: a novel. severable connection. with the: outwardly threaded inner sleeve 45, the: latter; member being nonrotatable and reciprocabiy movable on the threads provided as indicatedz. At, theupper end of; the sleeve thesleevenut; 49 is suitably attached in nonerotata'ble relation. ThBElVBI. 51 isiprovided with the open" .endiorrhookedportion. 52-. as more clearly shown: in the plan;.view'ofz Fig. 2;. Normally in .the -closediposition of .the valve;.the;:1ower hookedz portion engages the? reducedportion; or neckit of thezstem 28, the-:lever: 5.1 beingpivotally movablekupontlie coverrcaprscrevu-EWthreadedlyv attached-to the'sleeve'. nut by-' means of: the

threads 55; Thus with. the: valve in;the closed position it will; be.- apparent. that as thehandwheel' 4'1 is rotated counter clockw-ise thereby rotating the yoke s1eeve;35!;.the innersleeve 55 moves axially upon theathreads of theyokesleevev tatedin aclockwise direction (when .lonkingidown.

upon the-valve) and to open the latterthe wheel is rotated in a counter-clockwise directionf Thus assuming the valve to be-in a closedaposition and it becomes, necessary because' of an emergency toopenthe valve" very quickly, the lever Si. is; moved pivota'lly' clockwise upon. the screw 5.4 so that the portion 52" moves outtfromyun'der the stem upper headjll and? thus" the; neck portion. 53. of the stem 23 is released; The: valve closure member willopenv with the-aid of fluid pressure within the .valve. itself, ,since thepressure hereis on top'of. the disc and is.also aided in opening by means of the spring. 243-. Itshouldl be understood as previously. mentioned, that the spring is not essential to. the operationoi the valve. for in many cases 1ine.-.pressure alon .iS

To facilitate rotation of theyoke is now the desire to close the valve.

sufli'cient to open; the valve Icy-forcing the closure member from its seat.

With the valve in open position assume that it It is first necessaryto-lower the inner sleeve 45. This is done by rotating the handwheel 3| in a clockwise direction until there has been suffioient axial movements'o that enough of the stem as at 58 and 5'3- i's-exposed to engage with the relieved portion 52:. of the-lever 5i when the latter lever has been pivotally moved in a horizontal plane and in a counter-clockwise direction to affect the desired engagement as illustrated. Next the valve; actually. closed: by simply. turning" the handwheeL 41' in the desired direction; so: as to raise: the sleeve 4-5 until; the closure member 5 istight on: theiseat 4..

Thusgit will'be; apparent thata simple butpyet effective :method of. construction has been devised whereby thevalvemaybeopened quickly in the event of an emergency asfor. anexample-Tin the event of its use on-awfireeline or chamber flooding system: At the Sametimea-fterthe; emergency has passed: thevalve can bemad'e toclose tightly upomtheaseat by the' usualthreazdEopera-ting mechanism employed in a conventional-valve.

The construction is also applicable -to-valves in which the. fluid pressure is below the? discor closure member; andzforexample; refer ring.- now tothemodifiedformshown inzliigs. 3 and4, the casing 55- as similarly described: inL connection withFig; 1, is provided with thefconnecting end flanges51-and withitheidiaphragm-vor bridge :walls fiiiiproviding-a support. for the seat-ringv Silwhich in:turn.1ikewise supports. the. closure member? ti The latter member is: preferably provided. with the guide extension 52 held as at at in the;olosure member,. and ,proiecting through the stuffing; box 63-: of. the casing: the: stufiing, box: being suitably compressed. by meansoffthe gland. flange- 65. Suitably attached into, the: lower. portion; of; the body 5,5; are, the spring: washer posts: 6-53. while at: the lower-portion: of; the; latter. is a spring washer 6t. threadedlya-held imposition by-means of; theg-nut 6.7; andilockinut 68 to: support the coiled springflfis andzmaintainzthelatter .lIlgQlfidetermined compressed condition, thei'spring member bearingiagainst the-upper spring washer 71!. It will thus become-apparent that with spring 69rundercompression'it: will: tendto draw the'main: disc 51- away from. its seat andthis is particularly aided since, the line fluid pressure isnormally: applied: under the disc in, the. construction herein? illustrated.

The upper-portion of; the maindisc 61 is provided similarly with a disc stem ring 'ltthreadedly attached asiindicatedtov the said closure member and bearing-against'thestem head T3-of themain stem- 14; the lattenmember; extending through the bonnet 229Zby:way-"of the stufling box,3.l and pastthegland 3iz2inthe-same-manner as described in... connection with: the. construction illustrated Fig: .1; Preferably-the: upper; portion of? the stem. 74'; maybe reducedin: diameteras indicated atr'lfi' and thusiform the shoulder; 10-..t-he reduced portion extending; within: theinner sleeve; 45 as shown. Theinn'er-sleeveisnomrotatably-held?in position bythe sleeve holder: .6 engaging the yoke ribs" 48" by means of the-recessed ends: 4 Asddescribedin connection with Fig; 1- the-yoke 33being'similar, inconstruction to that described in connection with Fig. 1' is attached to the bonnet in the same manner as described'in connection with the. latter. figure.

Howevergthe latchingmeans atthe upper portion of the yoke for holding the stem in predetermined fixed position axially is different as will hereinafter become apparent. The yoke sleeve 16 is journaled for rotation within the hub aperture 36 of the yoke 33 and while an integral flange is shown at i! it may be made with a separate member as indicated in Fig. 1. At the upper portion of the yoke sleeve, the latter member is provided with the polygonal cross-section fitting the handwheel 4| having the insert t2 and the wheel- -nut 43 as shown. The upper end portion of the stem however is made with a plain flat end as at it instead of being provided with the recessed or neck portion 53 as shown in Fig. 1. Transversely extending across the tip of the fiat end of the stem M is the pivotally mounted lever 19 mounted upon the sleeve nut 49 and having at its upper end the apertured plate 8! held by means of the bolt and studs 82 and 83 respectively to the sleeve nut 49 with the lever 19 therebetween. One of the said attaching means for the plate apertured at 85, serves as the pivoting point for the lever 19 as indicated at as. The method of operation of the stem holding mechanism does not differ substantially from the latching means described in connection with Figs. 1 and 2. Assuming the valve to be in the closed position illustrated and it is desired to open it quickly, the pivotally mounted lever 19 is moved in either direction so as to thereby permit the valve to open and allow the end of the stem as at 18 to project upwardly past the displaced lever 19 and through the aperture 85 of the plate 8!. In the last described position the shouldered portion N3 of the stem bears against the sleeve holder 46. To place the stem in the position in which it will be contained within the sleeve 45 it is simply necessary to rotate the handwheel 4i and the yoke sleeve 16 so as to thereby move the inner sleeve 45 and the sleeve holder 45 upwardly and when the end surface 18 of the stem is flush with the top surface of the sleeve nut A9 the lever l9 is moved pivotally back to the position shown in Fig. 4. The handwheel M is then rotated in a clockwise direction to force the stem 75 against the action of fluid pressure to positively close the valve, the thrust in closing being taken by the lever 79 similar to that described in Fig. 1. Thus it is apparent that the valve can easily be closed with a minimum of effort and also opened quickly in the event of an emergency arising.

It is of course obvious that numerous changes may be made in the details of construction and it is the desire therefore to be limited only by the scope of the appended claims.

I claim:

1. In a valve construction of the character described, a closure member, a reciprocably mov able actuating stem cooperating with the said closure member, a rotatably mounted yoke sleeve, the said yoke sleeve being mounted for non-axial movement, an inner sleeve reciprocably movable within the said yoke sleeve and having means coacting between the inner sleeve and yoke sleeve to provide reciprocating movement, the said stem being slidably mounted in said inner sleeve, means for inhibiting rotation of said inner sleeve, means for rotating said yoke sleeve to thereby reciprocate said inner sleeve, stem latching means mounted on the said inner sleeve, the said stem latching means being engageable with an end portion of the said stem and transversely movable out of the path of stem movement and upon predetermined movement of said latching means out of the path of stem movement, the stem is axially movable relative to the said inner sleeve.

2. In a latching mechanism for a valve or the like, the combination including actuating means comprising a yoke, a yoke sleeve rotatably mounted within the said yoke and having an innor threaded portion, the said yoke sleeve being mounted for non-axial movement, an inner sleeve threadedly engaged with. said yoke sleeve, means for maintaining said inner sleeve non rotatable relative to said yoke whereby upon rotation of the said yoke sleeve the said inner sleeve is axially movable relative to the said yoke sleeve, a longitudinally movable stem slidably mounted within the said inner sleeve, latching means mounted on the said inner sleeve adapted to engage the said stem, the said stem when engaged by the said latching means being movable axially together with the said inner sleeve upon rotation of the said yoke sleeve, the said latching means being mounted for movement into positive engagement with said stem and out or the path of stem movement whereby upon release of said latching means the said stem is rendered axially movable independently relative to the said inner sleeve.

3. In a valve construction of the character described, a bonnet, a closure member, a recipro- :cably movable actuating stem supporting the said closure member, resilient means cooperating with the said closure member to aid in the stem positioning of the latter member, a rotatably mounted yoke sleeve mounted for non-axial movement relative to the said bonnet and having an inner threaded portion, a second sleeve threaded to engage with said yoke sleeve and non-rotatably mounted for reciprocable movement relative to the said yoke sleeve, latching means on the inner sleeve to axially secure said stem against predetermined movement, the said latching means being mounted for movement into positive engagement with said stem and out of the path of stem movement whereby upon said engagement of the stem by the said latching means the said closure member is movable in a closing direction by pre" determined rotation and axial movement of the threaded inner sleeve relative to the rotatable yoke sleeve and whereby the said stem upon movement of the said latching means out of the path of stem movement is axially movable relative to the said threaded inner sleeve.

4. In a valve latching mechanism, the combination comprising a valve housing having a flow passage and a valve seat formed in said flow passage, a reciprocably movable closure member (:0- operating with said valve seat to control the flow through 'said passage, actuating means for the said closure member including an unthreaded stem axially movable with the said closure member, a yoke for supporting the said actuating means, a yoke sleeve rotatably mounted within said yoke for non-axial movement, an inner sleeve within said yoke sleeve and within which the said unthreaded stem is mounted for slidable movement, the said inner sleeve being rotatably and threadedly engaged with said yoke sleeve to provide predetermined reciprocating movement therebetween, means for maintaining said inner sleeve non-rotatable relative to said yoke and thereby axially movable thereto upon rotation of said yoke sleeve, pivotally mounted latching means supported upon the said inner sleeve, the said pivotally mounted means engaging the said stem in predetermined axial position of the latter member to inhibit axial movement v of. the, stem, the: said latching-means: a1,- lowing upon predetermined transverse, movement out of the path of stem movement for, the projection of the said stem beyond the sa-icl'latching means thereby to facilitate quick opening at the valve.

In latching means for a valve construction, the combination. including a casing therefor, a sleeve on said casing for support of the said latching means and having anexternal threaded portion, means for non-rotatably maintaining said sleeve, a stem member for the said casingengageable predeterminately by the said latching means, guide means on the said casing for the said stem member, resilient means adjacent the guide means cooperating with the said stem member, actuating means for the said'stemmemberg said latter means including a rotatably mounted yoke sleeve having internal threads for engagement withsaid first-named sleeve and rotatable relativethereto, means for maintaining saidyoke sleeve axially immovable with said casing, said stem member being axialy movable relative to the yoke sleeve and slidablymounted insaid first-named sleeve, said latching means cooperating with an apertured portion of the said inner sleeve topositively engage the said stem in axially predetermined fixed position, the said latching means being mounted for movement into positive engagement with said stem member and out of the path of stem member movement, the saidresilient means cooperating with the saidstein member to assist in axially displacing the said stem member upon saidmovement of the latching means out of the path of i ner portion, an externally threaded inner sleeve threadedly engaged Within the said yoke sleeve, means for non-rotatably maintaining said inner sleeve relative to said yoke, the said stem being slidably mounted Within the said inner sleeve,

pivotally mounted latching means cooperating I with the inner sleeve and transversely movable relative to an end portion of said stem, the said latching means cooperating with the said stem in a predetermined position of the latter" memher to permitrelease of same for predetermined axial movement, the latching means having engaging means cooperatin with the stem upon axial movement of the inner sleeve and transverse movement of said latching means to en'- gage said stem and thereby move the said stem to desired: axial positionupon" predetermined rotationot the said yoke sleeve.

l. The combination of a latching mechanism for-a valve or. the like, actuating means comprising ayoke, anaxially movable stem, a yoke; sleeve rotatably mounted for non-axial movementwithingthe, said yoke-and having an internal thread=- ed portion, an-axially movable inner sleeve engageable with. the said yoke-to prevent rotation of the inner sleeve, the said stem being mounted for. sliding movement in said inner sleeve, the said inner sleevebeing outwardly threaded to be receivable Within theyoke sleeve, an actuating means for the said yokelsleeve, whereby. upon rotation of the actuat'ing means for thesai d yoke sleeve the said inner sleeve is caused-to moveaxially' relative to the, said yokev sleeve, latching means inhibiting axial movement of thesaid stem upon predetermined axial movement-0f the said inner sleeve, the latching means being mounted-on the said innersleeve and being disengageablewith an end portion of the stem to allow unlatching of the said stem, a lower'end surface portionof the said inner sleeve cooperating with a-shouldered portion of the stem upon predetermined rotation of the said yoke sleeve in the latched positioning of the said stem.

8. Ina valve actuating construction, a casing, a closure member for the saidcasing, means cooperating with, the said closure member. in positioning the latter member reciprocably relative to the said casing, including-an unthreaded stem reciprocably movable in the casing, a yoke for supporting, the said stem, a rotatably mounted' internally threaded yoke sleeve mounted for non-axial movement within said yoke, an inner sleeve non-rotatably' mounted with respect to the casing within the said yoke sleeve and having external threads for engaging said yoke sleeve threads; latching means at one end portion of the said inner sleeve mounted for transverse movement into positive engagement with said unthreaded stem and out of the path of stem movement, said non-rotatable mounting comprising means slidably engageable, with said yoke to prevent rotation of the-inner sleeve, means for rotating the said yoke sleeve whereby the inner sleeve is axially movable, whereby re lease of the latching means from its engagement with the said stem upon effecting said transverse movement of the latching means relative to the said inner sleeve away from the central axis of the said unthreaded stem permits the free axial movement ofsaidunthreade'd stem.

9. In a combined valve actuating and latching mechanism or the like, supporting means for the said mechanism, the said mechanism including an axially movable unthreaded stem, an internally threaded yoke sleeve rotatably mounted within said supportingmeans andheld axially immovablerel-ative' to the said supporting means, a threaded inner sleeve non-rotatably mounted and axially movable within said yoke sleeve to engage the threads thereon, latching means supported by the said inner sleeve and mounted for transverse movement relative to the said stem in predetermined axial position-ofthesaid inner sleeve member, the said stem being slid-ably mounted in said threaded inner sleeve, the said threaded inner sleeve in the unlatched position of the said latching means permitting the said stem to move freely axially and upontransverse movement of the latching means in an opposite direction, the said inner sleeve means engages the stemwhereby upon, suitable rotation of the said yoke, sleeve, the said inner sleeve c00perates with the stem to move the latter member and, said inner sleeve together to a predetermined stem' axial position.

IVAN J. ACOSTA.

References Cited the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS Number Name Date 608,197 Harrison Aug; 2, 1898 960,260; Boydr l v Oct. 6, 1908 960,872 Fischer June-'7, 191 0 

